Closed - Lan Wangji and Ye Zun

[lan_wangji]

Who: Lan Wangji and Ye Zun
What: Lan Wangji is in search of some comforts of home...
When: Two days before the war outbreak
Where: Odinhaus
Rating: G? PG for the presence of rice wine?


Lan Wangji is a little surprised at how easy it is to gather information when one simply listens to the murmurings and gossip instead of actively running away from it. He has learned that the name of the vile drink that Wei Ying has taken an affinity to is vodka and he is determined to find a suitable replacement. He has also heard tale of the same person with access to proper drink knows how to cook foods more familiar to Wei Ying. He wants to do this for him. He wants to give this to Wei Ying.

He must simply knock. And speak. To a stranger. On purpose. He takes a deep breath and gathers himself, lingering in front of the door he has been told belongs to a Ye Zun. He is a cultivator of Gusu Lan Sect. This is a minor task. He can do this. He raps, solidly and quickly and lowers his hand and waits.

Comments

[sanityinruins]

Like all the doors in Odinhaus, it was of simple wood with a simple latch, but unlike most of them Ye Zun had gotten his hands on some black paint and wrote a letter across the wood. The frame itself held a more normal name plate, but again the name itself was leaning more the dramatic - the handwriting sharp like daggers as it declared the room was Pillar of the Lord Night. A joke Ye Zun would say but in all honesty his call name was less a joke to anyone that really knew him. Since most did not, he left it at that.

He had been working on one of his projects -the soft pages of a book laid out to dry across the simple desk of the room - when he heard the knock at the door. Surprise had him almost make a mistake with a word and he quickly dabbed at the ink before it ruined the whole page. Glancing over at the door, he attempted to reach for that mind before remembering the ridiculous limits to this form. Huffing, he leaned his writing brush on a stained bit of stone and went to pull the door open.

Tall, dressed in a pale hanfu embellish with a wave pattern at the cuffs and long loose white hair, he blinked at the young man before making a proper bow. "How can this one help you?"

[lan_wangji]

Lan Wangji returns the bow, grateful to have finally found someone who at the least knows proper greeting etiquette.

"Lan Wangji of Gusu Lan Sect begs forgiveness for the interruption," he says, steeling himself to get the rest out. Every part of him wants to flee but he knows this will make Wei Wuxian happy. "I am recently arrived and while I would normally never pay heed to idle gossip I have heard you have knowledge of the procurement of baijiu and perhaps food more familiar to my own. I would offer services or goods in return, although I have little left."

[sanityinruins]

Young and studious. Ye Zun could feel the twitch of a smile on his lips at how earnest and serious the young man was, announcing who he was and then explained why he was at his door. It wasn't polite of him, but, well, Ye Zun was a bit of an uncultured heathen at times. If this Lan Wangji wanted to protect his lack of manners, well Ye Zun would probably just tell him to go away.

"I do, yes," he said lightly, arching an eyebrow at his words. He seemed a little nervous; was that why he was rushing with his words? "I have little need for anything, unless you have any interesting knowledge you can share."

[lan_wangji]

He cannot tell if the expression on the man's face is that of amusement or pleasure but Lan Wangji is used to being a source of amusement.

"I have knowledge, some of which I can impart," he says carefully, trying to think through anything that would of interest in such a place. "A friend of mine (as if he has more than the one) greatly enjoys rice wine but the restaurant does not carry it. I have received permission to plant rice but have no knowledge of cooking of brewing. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated and Lan Wangji would be in your debt."

He keeps himself from bowing again, having spoken more just then to someone other than Wei Wuxian or his brother than he has in years.

[sanityinruins]

Ye Zun was reminded of another serious young man looking for a legend, a boogeyman if you will, hidden by the years and trapped by relics. In the end that young man had given up his everything for him, and Ye Zun wasn't sure if he liked that reminder. He had so few friends, and despite being a useful minion, he had also been a friend.

"I'm not asking for secrets of your Sect, or of your life," he said lightly. "I'm more interested in tales and legends of the places you've been. We may share some similarities in our lands, but I'm sure that there are differences as well, and I am always looking for a good tale or three."

He pauses for a moment, studying the young man before nodding to himself and motioning Lan Wangji towards the communal kitchen.

"Please. I can at least help you learn what I know, if you come with me..?"

[lan_wangji]

Lan Zhan clasps his arms behind his back, offering a very pleased nod as he takes a step in the direction Ye Zun has indicated.

"I have tales and legends to offer," he says, intrigued that this man knows of Sects, knows of his culture, at the very least. "This world is different. Ye Zun knows of Sects, of rice wine and our foods. Has Master Ye Zun been here long?

[sanityinruins]

"Yes, it is different."

He could continue, but he takes a moment do so as he leads the way to the kitchen with the modern appliances and trappings of a modern home, expect where it looks like someone has been slowly changing things. Most of the dishes setting out would be far more familiar to people like Lan Wangji - from the waiting tea pot and matching cups to the large pan resting on the stove. Ye Zun moves the wok aside and sets a cast iron pot on the front burner, waving a hand at the stove to turn on to heat up some water. He turns and takes down a small earthen jar and a bamboo scoop, moving over to the tea pot and scooping some tea leaves into it.

"I've heard that this place is styled more after the realms they ruled over; none of our lands ever boasted of them for gods." He tapped his scoop against the ceramic and frowned. "It's so hard to find anything proper, but I have asked and gotten natives who are willing to grow rice, foods, and teas closer to what I know from home. They will most likely be the sort that you're use to as well."

Quickly he turns the burner off and picks up the pot, pouring the heated water into the tea pot then setting it aside. Replacing the tea pot's cover, he then picks it up and turns it a few times, making sure that the water and leaves are evenly distributed.

"When I was a child, there were Sects and masters and a long dynasty of peace. But war broke out and we were scattered among the Haixingren lands. It has been centuries since I've last seen any of the Sects or heard of them, save in children's tales. I have been here for a time, but not too long."

Rinsing two cups with the warmed water, he then pours them both some tea, the pale green liquid smelling faintly of spring and dew.

[lan_wangji]

"I have been given permission to start a rice paddy along the river," he murmurs, feeling something inside settle at the sight of something familiar. The tea, the pots, if not the method are ones he knows and he wonders if they are from the same world, if not the same time.

"Hope to share the rice I do not use."

He nods his thanks as the tea is prepared, fighting a smile when he sees it is the proper color. "War within the Sects was still prominent when I left, but peace reigned at the time," he starts, finding it easier to speak about such things than those involving himself. "Was Master Ye Zun a cultivator? You speak with great knowledge."

[sanityinruins]

"That's good news. If you want, I can give you the location of the Natives I trade with for my supply and you can get their help. I never learned how to farm so I couldn't be of any help in that way."

The table was still one of the more common Western styled tables, but Ye Zun does motion for Lan Wangji to sit and enjoy the tea, taking the other chair easily. He had plans to remodel some other aspects of the building, but it was slow going. It didn't help that some of the others in this place were use to the Western styles themselves, though at least they didn't seem as bothered by his cooking. He suspiciously felt that they were enjoying letting someone else deal with preparing food.

"War always seems to continue no matter the talks of peace," he mused and then chuckled, at his question. "In a way... Young Master Lan Wangji must not be alarmed but my style of cultivation is not normal. I had to develop a style to work around a sickness I had while my brother was able to be more of one like yourself."

[lan_wangji]

Lan Zhan takes a careful sip, nodding his thanks and approval as he takes in this information. It is not his place to reveal Wei Ying's past but this man clearly has information relevant to their lives.

And access to things Wei Ying will love.

"I am familiar with alternate methods of cultivation," he says, sweeping his sleeve out of the way as he sets his cup down. "They are forbidden in my Sect, but I trust the one who performed them. Will not be alarmed."

[sanityinruins]

"Ah, that's good then."

Not the part about forbidden cultivation, but that this young man was not going to become so heavily alarmed if Ye Zun ever did tell him more. He wasn't, though his insistence of his alienness was for all to see in the past recordings on their devices. Still, it might lend him some leverage later on.

"There are so many different people and cultures here, I can imagine your shock. I have some experiences with learning some of the worlds people have come from if you wish to hear a little. Oh yes, we have also put together a... council of sorts to help in times of emergencies. We're still forming plans for various emergencies, but any help you or your friend can offer will be appreciated."

[lan_wangji]

"Lan Wangji and Wei Wuxian would be honored to a part of such a council," he promises, knowing that if there is any opportunity to help or to improve a person's life that Wei Ying will want a part.

"I confess that there have been times my decorum was not as it should have been out of shock of the different peoples here," he admits, taking a guilty sip of tea. "Losing my Core after a lifetime cultivating it has been difficult. Pride, I think, as much as the loss. Lan Wangji begs indulgence and asks how Master Ye Zun has found the transition?"

[sanityinruins]

"I'm sure having two young lords like yourself involved will help us."

In any case, it might give this young man something to do that is more aligned with his own ideals than what he has been proposing. Ye Zun couldn't see him as a farmer. He wasn't one himself, but he had an idea of what was involved, thanks no small part to his more subtle role he had play in the war as a child. Gathering information did not always involve sitting in a wine house trading gossip with drunks.

"We are a minority here," he said, finishing his cup of tea and pouring himself a fresh cup. "Both in race and in culture. I'm sure it was a shock even before Young Master Lan realized he no longer has his Core. Having to adjust... was hard and I still grow angry at the lost of my own skills. However I have found that the loss of the Core has not affected our skills. We just cannot use cultivation to push beyond what is human."